A passing motorist and a Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy saved the
life of an Oak Park woman who was mauled early Tuesday morning by three
pit bulls, officials said.

One of the animals was killed by the deputy and the other two were taken
into custody, police said. The owner of the dogs is being investigated.

The 43-year-old victim, whose name was not released by police, was hospitalized
in serious condition at UC Davis Medical Center, Tuesday afternoon. Police
said she had severe bite wounds to her leg and stomach but is expected
to survive.

“There’s a good chance she would have died without their help,” said
Sacramento police Sgt. Daniel Hahn.

The attack occurred about 4 a.m. near the intersection of 14th Avenue
and 41st Street, Hahn said.

The victim was walking down the street when she was attacked by the
dogs which were roaming the neighborhood without supervision.

A passing motorist saw the attack and stopped to help the woman, Hahn
said.

“In my mind he’s the real hero here,” Hahn said. “He steps out of his
car and takes on three pit bulls without a gun or anything. That takes
a lot of courage.”

But the attack continued until Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex
McCamy happened by while on patrol in the area, police said. The deputy
fired two or three shots, killing one dog and frightening off the other
two.

Hahn said animal control officers used to tag on the dead dog to track
the two animals that fled to a home six blocks away.

The resident of the home denied owning the dogs.

Hahn said the ownership of the dogs remained under investigation. It
was also undecided if any criminal charges could be filed against the owner.